Wyoming High Schools Locked Down After False Bomb Threats: Officials Confirm No Credible Danger
CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Multiple high schools across Wyoming were placed on lockdown Wednesday following a wave of bomb threats later determined to be hoaxes. According to law enforcement officials, the threats—spread through automated voicemails—claimed that explosives had been placed in schools across the state, prompting immediate security measures and a coordinated law enforcement response.
Reports indicate that Burns Junior/Senior High School, Pine Bluffs High, Worland High School, Ten Sleep School, and others were among those targeted. The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), and local police departments worked swiftly with school administrators to evacuate or secure campuses while K-9 units conducted thorough sweeps.
Investigators later confirmed that the threats were not credible and originated from outside the United States. Similar incidents occurred recently in Colorado and Utah, suggesting a coordinated swatting effort aimed at disrupting school operations and causing panic among students, parents, and staff .
Law Enforcement Response and Community Reassurance
Authorities across Wyoming emphasized that every threat was handled as a top priority. In Burns, Mayor Joe Nicholson reassured residents on social media that “there is no threat to either school,” following confirmation from on-site deputies that all local campuses were clear.
Both Worland High School and Ten Sleep School resumed normal schedules after the Washakie County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the facilities were safe. Law enforcement agencies pledged an increased police presence around school zones for the remainder of the week as an added precaution .
Chief Deputy Chance Walkama of the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office said investigators determined early on that the bomb threats came from computer-generated, foreign-sounding robocalls. He added that such incidents, while bogus, have serious consequences: “It’s meant to disrupt, to scare, and to create panic. We can never not take these threats seriously,” Walkama told reporters.
Background: A Rising Trend of “Swatting” Hoaxes
This latest hoax follows a disturbing pattern of false emergency reports targeting Wyoming schools in recent years. In 2024, East High School in Cheyenne went into lockdown after a fake call claimed a student had a gun on campus—another example of a “swatting” attempt designed to trigger a heavy police response .
Such calls not only strain police resources but also heighten anxiety among students and educators. Wyoming education and law enforcement leaders are urging the public to remain calm during incidents and to report any suspicious behavior immediately.
Moving Forward
Authorities are working with federal partners, including Homeland Security, to trace the origins of this week’s threats. Investigations suggest that those responsible may be operating internationally, using advanced technology to disguise their identities.
Despite these challenges, Wyoming officials assert that student safety remains their top priority. Schools statewide are reviewing their emergency communication systems and lockdown protocols to ensure rapid, coordinated responses in future events.
Parents and students are reminded that there is currently no ongoing threat to any Wyoming school facilities.